Fishing & Recreation

Moss Lake is Gainesville's city reservoir and a public fishing spot

Moss Lake sits about 10 miles northwest of Gainesville and offers public fishing for bass, crappie, catfish, and white bass — but you need a boat permit from the city.

Cooke County The Great Outdoors

Moss Lake covers 1,140 acres and reaches 68 feet deep. It was impounded in 1960 on FM 1201. The City of Gainesville controls the lake and operates two public boat ramps. To launch a boat you must buy a boat permit from the City of Gainesville Public Works Department.

TPWD monitors the fishery. Largemouth bass, spotted bass, crappie, white bass, and channel catfish are all present. TPWD encourages anglers to harvest spotted bass to reduce competition with largemouth bass. Special bass size and bag limits apply, so check the current TPWD regulations before you fish. A standard Texas fishing license is required.

Source to confirm: TPWD — Fishing Moss Lake

More Cooke County notes

Property Tax Basics

Two offices handle your property taxes in Cooke County

The Cooke County Appraisal District sets your property value; the Tax Assessor-Collector collects the bill — and they are two separate offices.

Read note ->

Homestead Exemption

Homestead exemption can lower your school tax bill

Texas law requires school districts to cut $140,000 off a home's appraised value for owners who live in the home as their main residence.

Read note ->

Agricultural Valuation

Farm and ranch land can be taxed on production value, not market value

If your land is actively used for farming, ranching, or wildlife management, you may qualify for a special lower tax appraisal based on what the land produces, not what it would sell for.

Read note ->

School Districts

Cooke County has eight school districts — your address determines yours

Eight separate school districts operate in Cooke County, each with its own tax rate, so the ISD for your specific address can meaningfully affect your property tax bill.

Read note ->